Man shot in Towns County domestic altercation

YOUNG HARRIS - A Blairsville man is in custody after taking his estranged wife and three children hostage and shooting another man, according to Towns County authorities.

The incident happened just after midnight at a home in Young Harris.

Authorities said Larry Thomas went to the home and refused to allow his estranged wife and children to leave. When the other man tried to intervene, the two men began to fight and that's when thomas apparently shot the man, whose identity was not released.

Authorities say the children and their mother were able to escape during the altercation and run to a neighbor's house for help. The wounded man also was able to run to that neighbor's home for help.

Authorities said Thomas fled the scene on foot and was apprehended after a brief manhunt.

TThomas has been charges with two counts of aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a sawed off shotgun. Additional charges are pending as the investigation continues.